With both teams trailing in the AFC East, tonight’s matchup won’t change their position, but will effect them in the long-run. The Dolphins are coming off of a four-game losing streak and a bye. A win over the 2-3 Jets is something the Dolphins need to break their streak and get them closer to contention. If the Jets fall to 2-4, that puts them just one game ahead of the bottom of the AFC East. This is a crucial game for both teams.

Trouble on Both Ends?

According to Brandon Marshall, this game might become viciously competitive and his words seem pretty convincing.

Miami’s leading wide receiver predicted eviction from tonight’s game against the Jets.

“I don’t know if it’s throwing a football 15 yards in the bleachers, or getting a 15-yarder [penalty], or punting the ball and getting thrown out of the game. But something is going to happen. I’ll probably get kicked out after the second quarter.”

Why the attitude? Is Marshall trying to say that the rest of his team will have to play most of the game without their leading receiver because he refuses to control his temper on the field? Or is he saying that on his part, this game will become overwhelmingly competitive?

Either way, the Jets have been quiet in response. Probably because they have a few problems of their own.

The past week has been tough for the Jets, coming off a three-game losing streak, dilemma with the offense coordinator and the trade of wide receiver, Derrick Mason. The Jets locker room was probably something along the lines of a miserable place to be.

Following the trade of Mason, Santonio Holmes continues to express discomfort in the offensive game, mostly the offensive line’s lack of effort.

“I may be criticized again for saying it, but it starts up front,” said Holmes. “The big guys know it. If you can’t protect the quarterback for four or five seconds, there’s no point in dropping back seven yards to throw the football if he doesn’t have enough time.

All we’ve heard so far is scorn toward Quarterback, Mark Sanchez. Is it possible that Holmes is right? Is it the offensive line?

Did Miami use “bye” week to their advantage?

The Dolphin’s “bye” week couldn’t have come at a better time. With the first 4 games being losses, losing the starting quarterback and a number of injured starters, last weeks “bye” gave Miami a time to catch up on lost time (and players).

This gave backup quarterback, Matt Moore time to get comfortable with his plays and players. This is a crucial time for the Dolphins to turn to Moore. Moore will make his first Miami start on “Monday Night Football” tonight against the Jets. This is Moore’s 14th career start, replacing Chad Henne due to a shoulder injury. If things go well, Moore will start the final 12 games of this season.

The “bye” has also given starters Daniel Thomas, Vontae Davis, and Tony McDaniel time for recovery. All have been out with injuries and will be ready to start against the Jets.

Can the Jets recover?

As the Dolphin’s “bye” week came at a perfect time for them, the matchup with the Dolphins came at a perfect time for the Jets.

It’s a divisional matchup at home against a 0-4 team with the 2nd worst pass defense in the league. How much better can it get for the Jets?

The matchup can revive the Jets and take them out of the slump they’ve been stuck in for the first few weeks of the season. It’s their time to get everything together and improve their record to 3-3 before they enter their “bye” week in Week 8.

A final look:

Tonight’s matchup between the Jets and Dolphins is definitely one to look forward to. With the Jets continuing to feel uneasy with their game and the Dolphins coming off a four-game losing streak and a bye; the game can consist of continual penalties and errors, like Marshall predicts or a vicious competition for the win, which both teams desperately need.

Will the troubled New York Jets be able to advance to a 3-3 record on the season? Better yet, will the Jets be able to keep Miami from a victory so far this season?